# Assessing caregiver and child preferences for the development of novel pediatric antiretroviral therapy delivery

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $240,173

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Current infant antiretroviral therapy (ART) formulations pose barriers to daily adherence due to
complex weight-based dosing, conspicuous preparation to reconstitute crushed or dispersible
tables, poor palatability, and lack of discreet administration in the context of persistent HIV
stigma. These adherence barriers jeopardize infant ART adherence and diminish effectiveness,
making patients vulnerable to virologic failure, development of drug resistance, and preventable
mortality. Oral dissolvable strips (ODS) are alternative drug formulations with the potential to
overcome these challenges and improve pediatric ART adherence and outcomes. In this
proposal, we will apply a patient-centered approach to ODS development, in order to
design an infant ART product that is more responsive to caregivers’ and patients’ needs
and preferences. Aim 1 of the proposed study will use focus group discussions with caregivers
of infants living with HIV and interviews with pediatric HIV providers to solicit input on key
features of ODS design to maximize acceptability and utility. Integrating findings from Aim 1
regarding patient and provider preferences for ODS characteristics, packaging, and dispensers,
Aim 2 will develop 4-6 prototype ODS strips and dispensers. Aim 3 will evaluate user
impressions of each prototype and refine designs to deliver a lead candidate for production and
eventual field evaluation. By engaging stakeholders in an iterative design process starting from
the early phases of design and development, we will maximize the likelihood of developing a
product that is acceptable to the caregiver and infant, therefore leading to sustainable
adherence.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10258934
- **Project number:** 1R21HD105534-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** SARAH Finocchario KESSLER
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $240,173
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10258934

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10258934, Assessing caregiver and child preferences for the development of novel pediatric antiretroviral therapy delivery (1R21HD105534-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10258934. Licensed CC0.

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